Consumer Reports Health says that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has judged DEET to be safe when used as directed, but that it has caused rare toxic reactions when not used as instructed. The EPA also says DEET shouldn't be applied to babies less than 2 months old.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has advised against using repellents with DEET concentrations higher than 30% on any kids. And Consumer Reports Health says no one should use a repellent with more than 30% DEET.

The top six repellents protected against deer ticks and mosquitoes for seven hours or more, Consumer Reports says in a news release.

Tips to Prevent Insect Bites

Though the bugs used in the evaluation were disease-free, mosquitoes in the U.S. can sometimes carry West Nile virus or St. Louis encephalitis, the magazine says.